Problem: You'd like to have your students create a collection of knowledge that includes formulas, but the wikispaces page editor does not include the ability to quickly input mathematical expressions unless you already know a math typesetting language such as LaTEX. This shortcoming can be a dealbreaker for students who might be jazzed about the idea of using a class wiki but don't want to spend an inordinate amount of time making their math "pretty" online.
Solution: If you know LaTEX, then wikispaces already is capable of rendering LaTEX expressions. Using this capability is explained here. But what if you don't know LaTEX? You can install a LaTEX render that produces equations as small graphic elements that you can drag into your pages. Instructions for this editing process and installing a link to an online equation editor or shown below. First, here is an example of the product of this process:
Cool, huh? The sequence I used to produce these equations is explained in the graphic below:
So how do you get the equation editor link in your sidebar? Here is the sequence:
Solution: If you know LaTEX, then wikispaces already is capable of rendering LaTEX expressions. Using this capability is explained here. But what if you don't know LaTEX? You can install a LaTEX render that produces equations as small graphic elements that you can drag into your pages. Instructions for this editing process and installing a link to an online equation editor or shown below. First, here is an example of the product of this process:
So how do you get the equation editor link in your sidebar? Here is the sequence:
1. Copy the following code from CodeCogs:
<html> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://latex.codecogs.com/editor.js"></script> <body> <a onclick="OpenLatexEditor('testbox','html','')">Equation Editor</a> </body> </html>2. Edit your wikispace's sidebar. Using the widget tool, insert a widget at the top of the sidebar.3. Choose the "Other html" option from the widget menu, paste in the code you just copied, and save the widget and sidebar. That's it!